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Notre Dame Prep set to open basketball season (video)

By Nick Mallard, nmallard@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
11/05/2013 12:55:50 AM EST

LEOMINSTER -- The leaves have changed color. The temperature outside has plummeted.

And just like those other signs that winter is on its way and fall is on its way out, the Notre Dame Prep basketball team will take to the floor Tuesday night with yet another talented group of prep school basketball players.

The Crusaders kick off the 2013-14 season tonight with a tilt against Redemption Christian at North Middlesex Regional High School.

"This is a team that's going to be able to score a bunch of points," NDP head coach Ryan Hurd said following Monday's practice at the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster. "We've got to work on some things defensively, but I think we're going to win some games and I'm pretty confident that we're going to be a pretty good team."

Hurd noted that his team has depth and talent and he's looking to instill the idea of teamwork and becoming a single unit.

"We scrimmaged last week and it was one of those things that when they finally figured it out, I think the went on a 26-0 run or something like that," Hurd said. "That's the type of explosiveness I expect from them.

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I think, like most years, we're dealing with a whole bunch of guys who have been 'the guy' where they're coming from and they're slowly coming to terms with reality here."

Among the future collegiate stars appearing as Crusaders this season are guards Daxter Miles (who has committed to West Virginia) and Jarvis Garrett (being looked at by URI, Marquette and Minnesota), who lead a talented backcourt group.

"I love playing with great athletes like we have on this team," Miles said. "We're a talented team. It makes the game fun."

Hurd hopes that the team jells quickly and realizes its potential, which he believes is quite high.

"It's a neat group," Hurd said. "They're just learning to compete at this level, but I fully expect to have some jaw-dropping moments with these guys along the way."

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